THE COMMITTEE ARC #3 - Forgotten Lives

The TV series Torchwood abruptly ended in 2011 with a cliffhanger at the end of its fourth season. What a delight it was to learn that in 2015, Big Finish acquired the rights to the series! Even better, they could continue the story from season 4! So, how does the first episode post-Miracle Day fare?

The episode takes the bold step of offering us a horror story, which is fantastic. For an adult series, it’s only natural to delve into this theme. The horror here is conveyed through the atmosphere, steeped in the Welsh setting, with locations like the forest or the nursing home, as well as through the characters, who are primarily elderly. When it comes to fear-inducing tropes, the writer handles them brilliantly.

There’s one element I haven’t mentioned yet that is terrifying both tangibly and metaphorically: the Evolved. Tangibly, because they pose a real threat to humanity, and metaphorically, due to their culture, which drives them to believe they’re justified in their actions. What can you do when confronted with someone who genuinely believes they’re in the right and part of the “good” side?

Their influence even touches Gwen in a particular scene that gave me chills. I was so invested in the story and had always considered Gwen untouchable.

As for the Committee, they aren’t present in this episode, but we do encounter a species related to them. We learn about the Committee through the lens of this other species. It adds a whole new layer of understanding and enriches the lore. This kind of narrative approach is something I absolutely love.

For a first episode post-Miracle Day, it’s fair to say it’s a success. Sure, it’s not the story everyone might have wanted, but it’s still a great story that lays the foundation for what Torchwood is in 2015. Its horror elements are perfectly executed, making it a solid episode overall.

NEXT: THE COMMITTEE ARC #4 - One Rule